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Hedge-cutting for road safety purposes will still be allowed at all times of the year.

Minister Madigan said the decision “recognises the increasing threats to biodiversity nationally and globally and follows a number of Government initiatives to protect and nurture Ireland’s flora and fauna”.

Important habitat

She added: “Hedgerows are a very important wildlife habitat, providing food, shelter, corridors of movement, nest and hibernation sites for many of our native flora and fauna.

“While the Heritage Act made provision to allow the cutting of roadside hedges in August on a pilot basis, it’s clear from recent international and national studies, including the IPBES report, the UN convention on biological diversity and the recent Irish wetland bird survey, that we need to provide greater protection to our nature and biodiversity.”

Wrong signal

From March to August, the Minister said hedges protect nesting and breeding birds and wildlife.

“It would be wrong and would send out all the wrong signals to extend hedge-cutting further into August this year,” she said.

“It is still open to landowners under the Roads Act 1993 to take reasonable steps to ensure that a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation is not a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road and that it does not obstruct or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road," she said.

Under the terms of the Wildlife Act, roadside hedge-cutting is permitted between 1 September and the end of February.

“I am happy that this decision strikes the correct balance between the need to protect nature on the one hand and ensure public safety on our roads on the other," the Minister said.